United States-based Johnson & Johnson's Darzalex (daratumumab), in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone, has significantly decreased the risk of disease progression in a multiple myeloma study, it was reported yesterday.

The phase three MAIA study indicated that the daratumumab combination decreased the risk of disease progression or death in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant.

The product is a first-in-class biologic targeting CD38, a surface protein that is eminently expressed across multiple myeloma cells, irrespective of disease stage. It is supposed to induce tumour cell death through multiple immune-mediated mechanisms of action, including complement-dependent cytotoxicity, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis. In addition, daratumumab is being studied in a comprehensive clinical development program across different treatment settings in multiple myeloma.